Method and apparatus for cleaning the cutting system of an electric shaver

ABSTRACT

By providing a shaver receiving and supporting housing which is constructed for enabling cleaning fluid to be delivered directly to the interior of a shaver in a highly efficient manner, a fully integrated shaving cleaning system is realized which is capable of providing automated cleaning of the shaver in an efficient and effective manner. In accordance with the present invention, the cleaning fluid if forced through portals formed in the shaver for enabling the fluid to be forcibly delivered directly into the hair pocket of the shaver, thereby enabling the surfaces of the hair pocket, the cutting foils, and the cutting blades to be completely and thoroughly cleaned, with the fluid draining out of the shaver through the cutting foils. In addition, the present invention is constructed for thoroughly and completely cleaning both rotary shavers and foil shavers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to electric dry shavers and, more particularly,to improved cutting systems for shavers and automated cleaning systemstherefor.

BACKGROUND ART

Over the last several years, both men and women have been increasinglydrawn to the advantages provided by electric dry shavers. In general,the consuming public has found that the use of razors or other systemsis extremely inconvenient for removing or shaving long hair and/or shorthair or stubble, as commonly found in men's beards and women's legs. Inaddition, with the ever increasing time constraints and commitmentsindividuals typically encounter, a fast and effective shaving system ismost desirable.

The discomfort as well as the time consumed in using shaving creams,soaps and gels, in order to provide a medium for which a razor can beused, requires more time and inconvenience than most individuals arewilling or capable of experiencing. Furthermore, the cost of maintaininga sufficient supply of these products creates an additional burden.Consequently, electric dry shavers have become increasingly popular, aswell as battery-operated electric dry shavers which can withstandexposure to moisture, thereby enabling individuals to simultaneouslyshower, as well as shaving their beard or legs.

As the popularity of using electric dry shavers increased, numerousproduct designs with alternate constructions proliferated, in an attemptto improve and enhance the comfort and cutting efficiency of suchshavers. However, in spite of these products, difficulties havecontinued to exist in providing optimum results with optimum comfort andconvenience.

The two principal shaver constructions that have been found to beextremely efficacious in achieving high-quality shaving results, as wellas being extremely comfortable to use, are foil shavers and rotaryshavers. These configurations comprise various models of electric dryshavers, with one incorporating a movable cutting blade which cooperateswith a thin, flexible mesh screen or apertured foil. The secondconfiguration employs a plurality of circular-shaped cutting blades,typically three, which cooperate with circular-shaped foil members.

In operation, the cutting blades are rapidly and continuouslyreciprocally or rotationally moved past one side of the mesh screen orapertured foil, causing the cutting blades to repeatedly cross theplurality of apertures and provide a virtually continuous cutting actionat each aperture. Then, by slidingly guiding the other side of the meshscreen or apertured foil over the skin surface to be shaved, theindividual hair shafts enter the holes formed in the screen or foil andare cut by the movement of the cutting blades.

Although these dry shaving cutting systems have proven to be extremelyeffective, as compared to other dry shaving products, one important areaof difficulty does exist. This area of difficulty is found in thecleaning of the foil and cutting blades on a regular basis to assureoptimum performance. In addition, the entire cutting chamber or hairpocket should be cleaned on a regular basis.

Since most individuals have extremely busy schedules, routine cleaningof the cutting blades, the cutting foils, and the cutting chamber orhair pocket are often ignored, resulting in the buildup of a largequantity of debris caused by the cut hair fibers. Eventually, thisbuildup of debris causes a degradation of the cutting efficacy.

In order to eliminate the need for individuals to manually clean thecutting blades, cutting foils, and hair pocket, prior art systems havebeen developed which provide an automated cleaning system. Althoughthese prior art systems are generally capable of producing the desiredcleaning effect, some prior art systems have been found to be extremelycostly, due to the quantity of cleaning fluid required to achieve thedesired cleaning result.

Although several prior art systems exist, one prior art cleaning systemrequires a holding chamber or cradle to be filled with cleaning fluidwith the shaver being placed in the holding chamber or cradle in orderto enable the cleaning fluid to fill the hair pocket of the shaver,covering the cutting blades and cutting foils. Then, by activating thecutting blades, the desired movement to the cleaning fluid through thehair pocket is achieved, causing a cleaning effect. After an appropriatetime has lapsed, the fluid is drained from the chamber/cradle and theentire process repeated, if necessary.

Due to the requirement that a chamber/cradle must be filled withcleaning fluid in order to attain the desired exposure of the cleaningfluid to the cutting chamber, foils, and blades, a substantial quantityof cleaning fluid is required for each cleaning cycle. Furthermore, aseparate and independent fluid holding cartridge is employed which alsoincorporates a filter. After several cleaning cycles, the cartridge mustbe replaced in its entirety, resulting in added costs to the consumer.

Consequently, it is a principal object to the present invention toprovide a shaver construction and cleaning system therefore whichcompletely eliminates the need for filling a chamber with cleaning fluidin order to achieve the desired cleaning result.

Another object of the present intention is to provide a shaverconstruction and cleaning system therefor having the characteristicfeatures described above which is capable of fast, effective, andefficient cleaning of any desired shaver with a minimum of cost orexpense.

Another object of the present intention is to provide a shaverconstruction and cleaning system therefor having the characteristicfeatures described above wherein the cleaning fluid is delivereddirectly into the hair pocket or cutting chamber foroptimum-performance.

Another object of the present intention is to provide a shaverconstruction and cleaning system therefor having the characteristicfeatures described above wherein the delivery fluid is transmitted underpressure for enhanced effectiveness.

Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By employing the present invention, all of the prior art difficultiesand drawbacks have been completely eliminated and a substantiallyimproved, fully integrated, shaving and cleaning system is obtainedwhich is capable of providing automated cleaning of the shaver in anefficient and effective manner. Furthermore, by employing the presentinvention, the cleaning fluid is delivered directly to the interior ofthe shaver in a highly efficient manner, substantially enhancing thecleaning of the cutting blades, cutting foils, and hair pocket surfaces,while also substantially reducing the quantity of cleaning fluidrequired.

In accordance with the present invention, a shaver receiving andsupporting housing is provided which is constructed for receiving andsecurely maintaining a shaver in an inverted or upside-down position. Inaddition, the housing is constructed for receiving and supporting rotaryshavers and/or foil shavers. If desired, a universal housing is employedwhich is constructed for cooperating with both rotary shavers and foilshavers. Alternatively, separate housings are employed which arespecifically constructed for receiving either a rotary shaver or a foilshaver.

In addition, the shaver receiving and supporting housing incorporates anenlarged basin or tub which is designed for enabling the shaver to bepositioned and fully supported therein, completely independently of thebasin or tub itself. Since the present invention completely eliminatesthe need for filling the basin or tub with the cleaning fluid, the basinor tub can be substantially greater in size and dimensions than theouter surface of the shaver itself. As result, the overall configurationof the basin or tub may be widely varied, without departing from theunique aspects and operational efficacy of the present invention.

Furthermore, the housing is constructed with a supporting membercooperatively associated with the basin/tub for enabling the shaver tobe fully supported and maintained in the desired inverted position. Inaddition, the housing further comprises a reservoir, within whichcleaning fluid is retained, and a cleaning fluid delivery pump which iscooperatively associated with the reservoir for drawing the cleaningfluid from the reservoir and delivering the fluid directly to theshaver.

In the preferred embodiment, the housing also incorporates filter meanswhich is cooperatively associated with the fluid retaining reservoir, aswell as the basin/tub. In this way, as is further detailed below,cleaning fluid exits the shaver after cleaning the cutting blades, hairpocket, and cutting foils, and is allowed to enter the basin, which isconstructed to drain into the filter means. After passage through thefilter means, any debris contained in the fluid is removed, and thefiltered cleaning fluid is returned to the reservoir for re-use.

Finally, the preferred embodiment of the housing is completed by alsoincorporating a fan cooperatively associated with the basin/tub, fordrawing ambient air through the fan and delivering the air to the shaverafter cleaning. In this way, the cleaned cutting elements of the shaverare efficiently and effectively dried.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view depicting the shaver cleaningsystem of the present invention, with a rotary shaver mounted therewith;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shaver cleaning system of thepresent invention with a rotary shaver mounted in place;

FIG. 3 is a top plan end view, partially broken away, depicting theshaver cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the shaver cleaningsystem of the present invention with a rotary shaver mounted thereto;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view, partially in cross-section, depictingthe shaver cleaning system of the present invention with a rotary shavermounted thereto and shown partially in cross-section and partially inphantom;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view, partially in cross-section, of theshaver cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the shaver holding portion of theshaver cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the base portion of the shavercleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a left side elevation view of the shaver holding portion ofthe shaver cleaning system of the present invention with the outer wallsthereof removed;

FIG. 10 is a right side elevation view of the shaver holding portion ofthe shaver cleaning system of the present invention with the outer wallsthereof removed;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the filter assembly employedin the shaver cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of thefilter assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid delivery manifoldemployed in the shaver cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment for acutting foil and cutting blade subassembly of a rotary shaver employedwith the shaver cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view depicting an alternate embodiment forthe rotating drive shafts employed in a rotary shaver employed in theshaver cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional, side elevation view of an alternateembodiment of the shaver cleaning system of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the shavercleaning system of the present invention with a foil shaver mounted inplace.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

By referring to FIGS. 1-17, along with the following detaileddiscussion, the preferred constructions and operations of the shavercleaning systems of the present invention can best be understood.Although two preferred embodiments of the present invention are fullydetailed in the following disclosure, and shown in the Figures, thepresent invention can be implemented in alternate configurations,without departing from the present invention. Consequently, it is to beunderstood that the following detailed disclosure, as well as theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1-17, are provided for exemplary purposesonly and are not intended as a limitation of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1-17, fully integrated, shaver cleaning system 20 of thepresent invention is depicted comprising housing 22 in association witha shaver. Furthermore, FIGS. 1-16 depict cleaning system 20 with shaver21 comprising a rotary foil shaver, while FIG. 17 depicts cleaningsystem 20 constructed for shaver 121 as a foil shaver. As is detailedherein, whether the shaver comprises a rotary shaver or a foil shaver,cleaning system 20 of the present invention is capable of achieving athorough and complete cleaning of the cutting blades, foils, and hairpocket thereof by delivering a pressurized flow of a cleaning fluiddirectly into the hair pocket of the shaver, thoroughly cleaning theblades, cutting foils and hair pocket surfaces prior to being drainedtherefrom. In this way, the desired cleaning of the shaver is achieved,regardless of the cutting system employed by the shaver.

As shown in FIGS. 1-16, cleaning system 20, as constructed for use withrotary shaver 21, incorporates housing 22 which is preferablyconstructed comprising base portion 23 and shaver holding portion 24. Inthe preferred construction, shaver holding portion 24 is removablymountable to base portion 23, and is capable of being easilytelescopically inserted and securely latched to base portion 23. Inaddition, when desired, shaver portion 24 is quickly released fromlatched engagement with base portion 23 and removed, in its entirety,therefrom.

In the preferred construction, base portion 23 is formed by bottomsurface 26 and upstanding wall 27, which peripherally surrounds andenvelopes bottom surface 26. By employing this configuration, theinterior of base portion 23 forms cleaning fluid retaining or holdingzone 28.

The preferred construction of base portion 23 is completed by mountingpanel or cover 29 to base portion 23 in juxtaposed, spaced, relationshipto bottom surface 26. As depicted, panel/cover 29 incorporates enlargedaperture 30 formed therein, through which the desired cleaning fluid iseasily poured for filling fluid retaining/holding zone 28.

In addition, panel/cover 29 also incorporates filter assembly receivingzone 31, and three alignment holes 33. As detailed below, alignmentholes 33 are constructed for receiving engagement with post members 34formed on shaver holding portion 24. Furthermore, receiving zone 31 mayalso be used for filing fluid retaining/holding zone 28, preferably whenfilter assembly 36 is removed.

In the preferred construction, filter assembly receiving zone 31 isperipherally surrounded by upstanding flange 35 which is constructed formating holding engagement with filter assembly 36. As depicted and asfurther detailed below, filter assembly 36 incorporates filter holdingplate 37 and filter member 38, preferably formed in a small bagconfiguration, which is securely affixed to filter holding plate 37. Inaddition, filter holding plate 37 incorporates an enlarged aperture 39through which the cleaning fluid is directed after passage throughshaver 21.

In accordance with the present invention, shaver holding portion 24 ofhousing 22 is constructed for supportingly retaining shaver 21 in aninverted position, and enabling the cleaning fluid retained in fluidretaining/holding zone 28 of base portion 23 to be withdrawn therefromand delivered to shaver 21. As detailed below, in order to provide thedesired controlled, pressurized, fluid flow, holding portion 24incorporates pump assembly 45 and fluid delivery manifold 46, which isdirectly connected with pump assembly 45. In addition, shaver holdingportion 24 also incorporates shaver receiving and holding basin 47,mounting plate 48 which forms the bottom surface of shaver holdingportion 24, and shaver support column 49. Finally, the construction ofshaver holding portion 24 is completed by outer surface defining shellor wall member 50.

In the preferred construction, mounting plate 48 incorporates three postmembers 34 which longitudinally extend from the bottom surface thereofand are positioned for cooperative telescopic interengagement withalignment holes 33 of panel/cover 29. In this way, shaver holdingportion 24 is quickly and easily mounted in secure engagement with baseportion 23 in order to form housing 22. By employing post members 34 andalignment holes 33, the precisely desired orientation and position ofshaver holding portion 24 relative to base portion 23 is assured.

In order to enable shaver holding portion 24 to be quickly and easilyremovable from shaver portion 23, as well as quickly and easily mountedinto secure locked engagement with base portion 23, when desired, shaverholding portion 24 incorporates two release buttons 51, formed onopposed sides of holding portion 24, with each release button 51 beingconstructed for controlling the movement of a cooperating spring biasedlatch 52. In addition, each latch 52 is aligned for cooperative lockingengagement with one upstanding hook 53 formed on panel/cover 29 of baseportion 23. By employing this construction, shaver holding portion 24 isquickly and easily aligned and positioned for engagement with baseportion 23 by employing posts 34 and alignment holes 33 and, once sopositioned, advanced into secure, locked engagement with each other bythe automatic locking engagement of latches 52 with hooks 53.

In order to provide the desired controlled delivery of the cleaningfluid from fluid retaining/holding zone 28 to shaver 21, pump assembly45 is employed. In the preferred construction, pump assembly 45 ismounted in housing 60 which is mounted in direct association with shaverreceiving basin 47. In the preferred construction, housing 60 is mountedadjacent and below basin 47 for enabling pump assembly 45 to be easilyinserted through receiving aperture 30 of panel/cover 29 when shaverholding portion 24 is a mounted to base portion 23. In addition,delivery tube 61 extends from housing 60 to fluid delivery manifold 46,for providing the desired flow of the cleaning fluid fromretaining/holding zone 28 through pump assembly 45 and housing 60through delivery tube 61 and into fluid delivery manifold 46.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, shaver 21 incorporates a plurality ofportals or passageways 65, 66, and 67 formed in the outer surfacethereof, directly adjacent cutting foils 68. In the preferredconstruction, portals/passageways 65, 66, and 67 extend directly intohair pocket 70 of shaver 21, directly above cutting blade assemblies 69.Although the use of three separate and independent portals/passagewaysis detailed herein and has been found to provide the desired results,any desired number of portals/passageways can be employed withoutdeviating from the scope of the present invention.

In order to enable shaver cleaning system 20 of the present invention todeliver the cleaning fluid directly into hair pocket 70 of shaver 21,fluid delivery manifold 46 incorporates nozzles 71, 72, and 73integrally formed thereon and positioned for cooperative, alignedengagement with portals/passageways 65, 66, and 67 of shaver 21. Asshown, whenever shaver 21 is inverted and positioned in shaver receivingbasin 47, nozzle 71 is automatically aligned with throughportal/passageway 65, while nozzle 72 is aligned with portal/passageway66, with nozzle 73 being aligned with through portal/passageway 67. Inthis way, the cleaning fluid delivered to fluid delivery manifold 46exits through nozzles 71, 72, and 73 directly to portals/passageways 65,66, and 67 and into hair pocket 70 of shaver 21.

As is more fully discussed below, when cleaning system 20 is activated,the cleaning fluid is delivered under pressure, as exerted by pumpassembly 45, forcing the cleaning fluid to rapidly enter hair pocket 70of shaver 21 and be distributed throughout hair pocket 70. This actioncauses the cleaning fluid to forcibly enter hair pocket 70 in aturbulent, widely dispersed flow pattern, and contact cutting bladeassemblies 68, cutting foils 69, and the surfaces of hair pocket 70.With the pressurized flow of the cleaning fluid entering hair pocket 70,rapidly filling the entire hair pocket and freely flowing throughout thehair pocket, the desired cleaning of all of the desired components andsurfaces is achieved, in a manner which is similar to power washing ofdesired surfaces.

By employing shaver cleaning system 20 of the present invention, all ofthe debris contained within hair pocket 70 is exposed to the flushingaction caused by the cleaning fluid forceably flowing throughout hairpocket 70, vigorously contacting cutting blade assemblies 69, the hairpocket surfaces, and cutting foils 68, driving all of the hair fiberdebris off of these surfaces. Once passage of the fluid throughout hairpocket 70 is completed, the cleaning fluid drains directly through thecutting foils 68 into basin or tub 47.

Although the delivery of the pressurized cleaning fluid into hair pocket70 has been found to provide effective cleaning of all debris, cuttingblades 69 are preferably activated during the delivery of the cleaningfluid to further enhance the distribution of the cleaning fluidthroughout the entire hair pocket 70. By activating the cutting blades69, enhanced mixing of the fluid in hair pocket 70 is realized. Oncesufficient time has elapsed to enable all of the desired cleaning to beachieved, the rotation of the cutting blades is stopped, and all of theremaining fluid contained in the hair pocket is allowed to flow throughcutting foils 68 directly into basin 47.

Shaver receiving basin 47 is constructed to supportingly retain shaver21 in the desired inverted position and receive the cleaning fluid asthe cleaning fluid exits from hair pocket 70 of shaver 21. In addition,basin/tub 47 incorporates enlarged drain portal 57 formed therein, whichis positioned in cooperating relationship with filter assembly 36. Asdepicted, drain portal 57 comprises an enlarged opening formed in basin47. In this way, the cleaning fluid entering basin 47 is quicklydelivered to filter assembly 36 through portal 57. By passing throughfilter assembly 36, all of the debris contained in the cleaning fluid isremoved from the cleaning fluid, and the debris-free cleaning fluid istransferred through filter assembly 36 into holding zone 28 for reuse.In this way, the cleaning fluid is able to be effectively andefficiently used for an extended period of time.

Furthermore, in the preferred construction, the inlet of housing 60 ofpump 45 incorporates a separate filter cover. In this way, any debriswhich may have entered the cleaning fluid is prevented from enteringpump 45 and being delivered to manifold 45. As a result, possibleclogging of nozzles 71, 72, and 73 is prevented.

In the present invention, basin 47 is constructed for merely receivingthe cleaning fluid draining out of hair pocket 70 of shaver 21 andrapidly channeling the fluid into enlarged drain portal 75 for removalfrom basin 47. As a result, the particular size, shape, and/or overallconfiguration of basin 47 can be widely varied. Since basin 47 is notemployed for receiving and holding cleaning fluid in order to enable thecleaning fluid to enter hair pocket 30, as is found in prior artsystems, controlling the dimensions of basin 47 in order to reduce thequantity of cleaning fluid required while also enabling the fluid toenter the hair pocket is unnecessary in the present invention. In fact,such prior art constructions are counter-productive, since the presentinvention employs rapid removal and disbursement of the cleaning fluidfrom shaver 21 and basin 47 in order to optimize the cleaning operation.

As is evident from the foregoing detailed discussion, unique fluiddelivery and cleaning system 20 of the present invention provides ahighly effective, pressurized flushing action for delivering a vigorous,continuous flow of cleaning fluid directly to the soiled surfaces of ashaver, namely the cutting blades 69, the cutting foils 68, and the hairpocket 70. In addition, this flushing action causes the hair fiberdebris to be quickly and efficiently dislodged from the surfaces onwhich the debris is retained. The debris carried in the cleaning fluid,is drained through cutting foils 68, and into the receiving basin 47,which then funnels the cleaning fluid into filter assembly 36 forremoval of the debris from the cleaning fluid. Thereafter, the filteredcleaning fluid is returned to fluid holding zone 28.

By employing this unique construction, the pressurized flushing actionis capable of specifically targeting the soiled sections of the shaverin a unique and efficient manner, enabling cleaning of the preciselydesired surfaces to be achieved in a substantially reduced time period.In addition, the quantity or volume of fluid needed to achieve optimumcleaning of all of the desired components is substantially reduced andminimized, in view of the limited area of the hair pocket into which thecleaning fluid is directly fed and circulated. As result, a highlyeffective, efficient, and enhanced shaver cleaning system is attained.

The final principal component preferably incorporated into shavercleaning system 20 of the present invention is fan assembly 78 which ispositioned for drawing ambient air through portal 79 formed in wall 50and feeding the ambient air directly to the outer surface of shaver 21.In this way, once the cleaning fluid has been circulated and drainedfrom hair pocket 70, in the manner detailed above, fan assembly 78 isactivated to deliver a stream of air to flow about the outer surface ofshaver 21 in the area of cutting foils 68, in order to dry the outersurface of shaver 21 by advancing or enhancing the evaporation of anycleaning fluid retained thereon.

As detailed above, one of the principal features of the presentinvention is the high velocity, turbulent flushing action which isproduced by the cleaning system of the present invention when thecleaning fluid is forced through delivery nozzles 71, 72, and 73 offluid delivery manifold 46 directly into portals/passageways 65, 66, and67 of shaver 21 which communicate directly with hair pocket 70 of theshaver being cleaned. By employing this construction, the cleaning fluidis forced under pressure to flow directly into hair pocket 70, in a highvelocity, turbulent flow pattern, causing all of the surfaces of hairpocket 70, cutter assemblies 69, and cutting foils 68 mounted in thehair pocket 70 to be completely cleaned of all debris, in a manner whichis similar to the power washing of surfaces. This power washing/cleaningand flushing action is further enhanced by the continuous drainage ofthe cleaning fluid through cutting blade assemblies 69 and cutting foils68 of the shaver 21 and the rapid delivery of the drained cleaning fluidinto filter assembly 36 before returning to the cleaning fluid retainingzone 28.

As discussed above, in order to achieve the desired high velocity,delivery of the cleaning fluid into hair pocket 70 of shaver 21, fluiddelivery manifold 46 in combination with pump assembly 45 and deliverytube 69 comprise the principal components. In this regard, pump assembly45 is positioned directly in fluid retaining holding zone 28 withinwhich the desired cleaning fluid is stored. Once activated, the cleaningfluid is drawn through pump assembly 45 and forcibly delivered throughtube 69 directly into manifold 46. With fluid delivery manifold 46comprising nozzles 71, 72, and 73, as the only exits formed thereon, thecleaning fluid flows through nozzles 71, 72, and 73 directly intoportals 65, 66, and 67 of the shaver 21. In this way, the desireddelivery of the cleaning fluid directly into hair pocket 70 is achieved.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 13, fluid delivery manifold 46 isconstructed for peripherally surrounding the shaver 21, with nozzles 71,72, and 73 aligned with portals 65, 66 and 67. In this way, assurance isprovided that the cleaning fluid is fed directly into hair pocket 70. Inits preferred construction, as shown in FIG. 13, fluid delivery manifoldis formed in two pieces, base portion 90 and lid or cover 91 which iseasily secured to base 90 for closing and sealing manifold 46, formingfluid flow channel 95. In this way, manifold 46 is easily constructed,as well as being easily assembled to provide a leak-free construction.Furthermore, base 90 incorporates legs 92 which enable the fullyassembled manifold 46 to be quickly and easily securely mounted to basin47.

As depicted, nozzles 71, 72, and 73 are formed with a rounded orarcuately curved outer surface for assisting in guiding and positioningeach nozzle 71, 72, and 73 in the precisely desired aligned engagementwith portals 65, 66, and 67 of shaver 21. In addition, in the preferredconstruction, fluid delivery manifold 46 is constructed in an overallU-shape, incorporating distal ends 93 and 94, both of which areconstructed for being independently flexible relative to the centralportion of manifold 46. In this way, shaver 21 is easily inserted intosecure engagement with manifold 46, with assurance that nozzle 71, 72,and 73 will be aligned and easily positioned in peripheral surrounding,engagement with shaver 21 and portals 65, 66 and 67 thereof.

As depicted and detailed above, fluid delivery manifold 46 preferablycomprises three separate and independent nozzles 71, 72, and 73 whichare constructed for cooperating, aligned interengagement with portals65, 66, and 67 of shaver 21. However, if desired, any desired number ofnozzles and portals can be employed without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. In fact, if desired, as shown in FIG. 16, asingle delivery nozzle can be used to deliver the cleaning fluid intohair pocket 70, and still achieve the desired results. Although threeseparate and independent nozzles and portals have been found to provideoptimum results, any alternate quantity of nozzles and portals can beemployed with equal efficacy.

In order to assure the precisely desired positioning of shaver 21relative to manifold 46, shaver receiving basin 47 incorporates aplurality of upstanding ribs 55 integrally affixed to bottom surface 54thereof. Ribs 55 incorporate a sloping, contoured edge and arepositioned to assure receipt and placement of shaver 21 in the preciselydesired location and orientation for assuring aligned cooperativeengagement of portals 65, 66, and 67 of shaver 21 with nozzles 71, 72,and 73 of manifold 46. In addition, upstanding boss 56 is formed onbottom surface 54 of basin 47, with boss 56 being positioned forengaging the top surface of shaver 21 and providing further assistancein maintaining shaver 21 in the precisely required position for aligningportals 65, 66, and 67 with nozzles 71, 72, and 73.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, bottom surface 54 of shaver receivingbasin 47 comprises a sloped configuration with the lowermost portionthereof being enlarged portal 57. In this way, all of the cleaning fluiddraining from shaver 21 onto bottom surface 54 is controllably directedto quickly flow into portal 57 for rapid removal from basin 47 throughfilter assembly 36.

In operating cleaning system 20 of the present invention, it has beenfound that thorough and complete cleaning and removal of all debris fromhair pocket 70 of shaver 21 is realized. In some instances, however,hair debris may be deposited on the outer surface of the circular shapedcutting foil assembly. In this regard, it has been found that byvertically displacing cutting foils 68 relative to the foils holdinghead of shaver 21, the gap or spacing between foils 68 and the head ofshaver 21 is increased. This increased gap enables the cleaning fluid topass between the head of the shaver and the outer ring of each cuttingfoil 68, and flush any retained debris away.

If the additional flushing action is desired, upstanding bosses 58,shown in FIG. 3, could be employed. As depicted, each boss 58 is alignedwith one cutting foil 68, forcing the cutting foil assembly upwardlyinto shaver 21. In this way, the gap surrounding each cutting foil 68 isincreased, enabling the cleaning fluid to flow between the head of theshaver and each cutting foil retaining ring, flushing any debris away.

In FIG. 14, an alternate construction is depicted for enabling thecleaning fluid to flush debris off of the foil ring. In this embodiment,each cutting foil 68 is peripherally surrounded by a speciallyconfigured retaining ring 81. As shown, each retaining ring 81incorporates a plurality of recesses or knurled zones 82 formed thereon.By forming a plurality of recesses or knurled zones 82 peripherallysurrounding each retaining ring 81 of each cutting foil 68, a pluralityof openings or flow paths are created which enable the cleaning fluid topass more freely therethrough. As a result, the desired debris flushingflow is achieved. Furthermore, by configuring each recess or knurledzones 82 with a particular contour, a precisely desired rate of flow canbe attained.

In order to enhance and assure the free flow of the cleaning fluid frombasin 47 after the cleaning fluid drains from shaver 21, filter assembly36 comprises a unique construction. In this regard, it has been foundthat prior art constructions result in filter systems which are prone toclogging more rapidly than expected, causing the filter system torequire changing more rapidly than anticipated. In addition, the filterclogging also causes the cleaning fluid level to rise in the fluidholding zone or fluid container, resulting in cleaning fluid leakagetherefrom. By employing the filter assembly of the present invention,all of these difficulties and drawbacks are completely eliminated.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 12, filter assembly 36 preferablycomprises filter member 38 which is configured in a bag shape,incorporating a single entry zone 85. In addition, filter assembly 36incorporates holding plate 37 and mounting collar 40 which isconstructed for peripherally surrounding and securely maintainingholding plate 37 and filter member 38 in the desired fully assembledconfiguration. In the preferred construction, entry zone 85 of filtermember 38 is mounted peripherally surrounding pending flange 86 ofholding plate 37. Once in position, collar 40 is securely mounted toplate 37, peripherally surrounding and securely engaging holding plate37, with filter member 38 frictionally sandwiched between flange 86 ofholding plate 37 and the cooperating wall member of collar 40. In thepreferred embodiment, this construction forms the fully assembled filtermember 36, which is replaced in its entirety, whenever filter member 36needs to be changed.

In order to provide the desired free flow of the cleaning fluid intofilter assembly 36, while also preventing clogging of filter bag 38 asthe cleaning fluid enters filter assembly 36, holding plate 37 isconstructed with a unique built-in diffuser system. As best seen inFIGS. 4 AND 12, holding plate 37 incorporates aperture 39 formed on thetop surface thereof, while also incorporating support posts 41 whichperipherally surround aperture 39 and extend downwardly therefrom. Inaddition, diffuser plate 42 is mounted to holding plate 37, extendingbetween posts 41 and incorporating an upwardly extending, generallyinverted V-shape.

By employing this construction, the cleaning fluid passes rapidlythrough aperture 39 and contacts V-shaped diffuser plate 42. Due to thesloped angle provided by inverted V-shaped diffuser plate 42, thecleaning fluid contacts diffuser plate 42 and is diverted away fromdiffuser plate 42 towards support posts 41. Since support posts 41 arewidely spaced from each other, forming open zones therebetween, thecleaning fluid freely passes between support posts 41 into filter member38. In this way, all of the incoming cleaning fluid and the debriscarried therein which is flushed from shaver 21 is gently dispersedtowards the upper area of filter 38. As a result, the cleaning fluidquickly passes through filter 38, while the debris is retained withinbag shaped filter member 38, slowly falling, by gravity, from the upperportion thereof to the bottom.

In order to further enhance the filtration of the hair debris from thecleaning fluid and provide a long lasting filter assembly construction,the base of filter member 38 is preferably formed into an invertedU-shape, as shown in FIGS. 4, 11 and 12. By employing the constructiondepicted, filter member 38 is formed into two separate lower zones 83and 84, which effectively increases the available filtration area.

In order to attain the desired filter configuration, filter holdingplate 37 incorporates two rectangular shaped wire frame members 87 and88 affixed to the side edges of plate 37. By employing wire framemembers 87 and 88, filter member 38 is shaped into the desiredconfiguration defining both vertical side walls thereof.

In addition, filter holding bar 89 is mounted to the outside bottom endof filter member 38 and affixed to connecting plate 77, which extendsbelow diffuser 42. In this way, the desired inverted U-shape is importedto filter member 38 and is maintained throughout the useful life offilter assembly 36.

Furthermore, by employing this construction, the debris originallycaptured on the upper surfaces of filter member 38 falls into eitherzone 83 or zone 84. As a result, the hair debris is split into twoseparate and independent areas in an easily achieved manner.Furthermore, by employing this construction in combination with diverterplate 42, the receipt and filtration of the debris is controlled andpremature filter clogging is avoided.

It has been found that by eliminating a forceful stream of liquiddirected straight downwardly towards the base of the filter member,filter clogging is eliminated. Generally, whenever a stream of cleaningfluid forcefully contacts the debris collected in the base of the filterbag, the debris tends to be kicked up, causing clogging of the filter.By employing the present invention, this prior art difficulty iseliminated. Furthermore, as detailed below, the present inventionpreferably employs a plurality of timed cycles for optimum cleaning ofshaver 21, which further improve the handling and distribution of thedebris in filter bag 38.

In accordance with the present invention, another unique aspect providedby shaver cleaning system 20 is the control system employed to clean anddry shaver 21, and the rapid, easy, and simple engagement provided forcontrollably mounting shaver 21 to housing 22. In regard to thecontrolled engagement of shaver 21 in housing 22, the present inventionenables cleaning system 20 to gain complete operational control ofshaver 21 whenever the user simply inserts shaver 21, in its invertedposition, into housing 22.

As fully detailed above, the head or cutting portion of shaver 21 ismounted in shaver receiving basin 47 with the nozzles of fluid deliverymanifold 46 perfectly aligned with the portals of shaver 21. Inaddition, by arcuately pivoting shaver 21 rearwardly towards shaversupport column 49 of housing 22, the electrical contact pins formed inshaver 21 are automatically engaged with the cooperating contacts formedin shaver support column 49.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, contact assembly 100 incorporates supportarm 101 which is pivotally mounted in shaver support column 49. Inaddition, coil spring 102 is controllably engaged with support arm 101to bias support arm downwardly. Furthermore, the construction of contactassembly 100 is completed by mounting two pins 103 in receiving zonesformed in support arm 101 with each pin 103 being spring biaseddownwardly by coil springs 104.

By employing this construction, shaver 21 is quickly and easilyelectrically connected to housing 22 by merely sliding shaver 21 intoengagement with contact assembly 100. As typically found in most shaverconstructions, shaver 21 incorporates pin members mounted at the basethereof which are employed for enabling electrical current to bedelivered to shaver 21. In the present invention, when shaver 21 ismounted in basin 47 and arcuately pivoted rearwardly, the connectionpins formed in the base thereof are brought into automatic electricalengagement with pins 103 of contact assembly 100.

By constructing contact assembly 100 in the mannered detailed above,support arm 101 flexes upwardly as shaver 21 is pivoted into position.Thereafter, support arm 101 is biased downwardly by coil spring 102 tocause pins 103 to electrically engage the contact of shaver 21. Thedesired electrical contact is further assured by incorporating coilsprings 104 with pins 103, thereby causing pins 103 to be continuouslybiased downwardly, into secure electrical engagement with the pincontacts of shaver 21. In addition, since each pin 103 is separatelyspring biased, the desired contact with the connection pins of theshaver is assured, regardless of the vertical height each connection pinmay have.

In order to enable cleaning system 20 to provide all of the requisitefunctions to enable shaver 21 to be fully and completely cleaned, whendesired, as well as recharged to optimum operational levels, cleaningsystem 20 incorporates integrated circuit 106. Integrated circuit 106 ispositioned within outer wall or shell 50 of shaver holding portion 24and is interconnected with activation button 107 and LEDs 108, 109, and110.

Although cleaning system 20 may be constructed with a wide variety ofalternate operational systems, the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention employs integrated circuit 106 to automatically deliver acharging current to shaver 21 whenever shaver 21 is mounted to housing22. In addition, in order to provide the user with visual confirmationthat shaver 21 is being charged, LED 109 is illuminated whenever acharging current is delivered to shaver 21. In the preferredconstruction, LED 109 is maintained ON during the charging cycle, and isthen either extinguished or changed to a blinking display, when shaver21 is fully charged.

In addition, instead of automatically cleaning shaver 21 each and everytime shaver 21 is mounted to housing 22, cleaning system 20 isconstructed with the cleaning cycle being initiated by the user. Inorder to achieve this result, activation button 107 is employed. Oncebutton 107 is pressed by the user, integrated circuit 106 activates thecleaning cycle, and automatically initiates the precisely desired timedsequential operational steps which have been found to produce optimumcleaning of shaver 21. In addition, LED 110 is illuminated whenever thecleaning cycle is initiated and, upon completion of the cleaning cycle,LED 110 is extinguished. In order to further enhance the ease of use ofcleaning system 20 by the consumer, LED 108 is illuminated whenever thecleaning fluid in holding zone 28 needs to be replaced or replenished.

In order to assure that shaver 20 is thoroughly and completely cleanedof all debris in an efficient and trouble-free manner, substantialeffort was expended in determining the optimum cycles that should beemployed as well as time duration for each cycle. In Table I, theoptimum cyclical operation for cleaning system 20 is detailed, alongwith the range of preferred elapsed time for each cycle. Furthermore, inTable II, the preferred specific cyclical operation for cleaning system20 is detailed.

TABLE I Cleaning Cycles Pump Shaver Fan Elapsed Time ON ON OFF 5-15seconds OFF ON OFF 2-7  seconds ON ON OFF 2-7  seconds OFF ON OFF 2-7 seconds ON ON OFF 1-4  minutes OFF ON ON 1-4  minutes OFF OFF ON 15-22minutes

TABLE II Preferred Cleaning Cycles Pump Shaver Fan Elapsed Time ON ONOFF 10 seconds OFF ON OFF 5 seconds ON ON OFF 5 seconds OFF ON OFF 5seconds ON ON OFF 10 seconds OFF ON OFF 5 seconds ON ON OFF 10 secondsOFF ON OFF 5 seconds ON ON OFF 10 seconds OFF ON OFF 5 seconds ON ON OFF10 seconds OFF ON OFF 5 seconds ON ON OFF 60 seconds OFF OFF OFF 60seconds OFF ON ON 15 seconds OFF OFF ON 19 minutes

As is evident from a review of Table I and Table II, optimum cleaning ofshaver 21 is achieved by cycling pump assembly 45 in an ON and OFF modefor two cycles, ranging in total between about 11 and 36 seconds. Thisis followed by a third ON/OFF cycle ranging between about 2 and 8minutes. During each of these cycles, the shaver preferably remains ON,in order to assure that the cleaning fluid is fully distributedthroughout the hair pocket. In the final cycle, the pump is turned OFF,the shaver is turned OFF, and the fan is turned ON in order to dryshaver 21. As shown in Table I, the fan remains ON for between about 15and 22 minutes.

Although the preferred operational system employs two separate cycleswherein the pump is first turned ON and then turned OFF for timedurations ranging between about 2 to 15 seconds, it has been found that,if desired, a total of six similar cycles can be employed if additionalcleaning is required. However, it has been found that the two cyclesdetailed in Table I provide effective and efficient thorough cleaning ofshaver 21.

By employing two cycles wherein pump assembly 45 is cycled ON and thenOFF, with shaver 21 remaining in the ON mode, an initial cleaning of theheavy debris contained in hair pocket 70 of shaver 21 is achieved. Then,by employing a third cycle which continues for between about 2 and 8minutes, all of the remaining debris contained in hair pocket 70 ofshaver 21 is eliminated. When both the pump assembly and shaver are inthe OFF mode, fan assembly 78 is placed in the ON mode, unless alreadyON as shown in Table I. Preferably, the fan cycle continues for betweenabout 15 and 22 minutes in order to thoroughly and completely dry all ofthe components contained in the cutting head of shaver 21.

In addition to providing complete and thorough cleaning of shaver 21,the cleaning cycles detailed above also provide self-cleaning of filterassembly 36. By employing the plurality of cycles detailed above, withvarying time durations, in combination with the diverter plateincorporated in filter assembly 36, the debris which is initiallydeposited on the upper portion of filter member 38 is able to droptowards the bottom by gravity, as well as being continuously flushed offof the upper surface by the flow of the cleaning fluid during subsequentcycles. In this way, prior art clogging of a filter component iseliminated and the long term, efficient and effective operational use offilter assembly 36 is attained.

By employing the present invention, it has been found that thorough andcomplete cleaning of shaver 21 is attained in an easily employed, fastand efficient manner. Although the construction of the presentinvention, as detailed above, has proven its ability to achieve thedesired cleaning of substantially all debris contained in shaver 21after normal use, it has also been found that under certain operationalcircumstances, increased turbulence of the cleaning fluid in hair pocket70 could assist in the cleaning operation. In order to provide thisincreased turbulence, the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 15 may beemployed.

As depicted, shaver 21 incorporates three separate and independentrotating drive shafts 116, each of which is constructed for rotationallydriving a circular-shaped cutting blade 69 of shaver 21 in the normalmanner found in all shaver constructions. However, in this embodiment,as depicted, radially extending arm or paddles 117 are mounted to eachdrive shaft 116 and constructed for extending substantiallyperpendicularly therefrom. In the preferred construction, paddles 117extend from collar 118 which is affixed to shaft 116.

By incorporating arms or paddles 117 on each drive shaft 116 of shaver21, the cleaning fluid flowing through hair pocket 70 is brought intocontact with the plurality of arms/paddles 117, as arm/paddles 117 arerotating about the axis of shaft 116. The repeated engagement of thecleaning fluid with arms/paddles 117 causes the cleaning fluid toexperience substantially increased turbulence, distributing the cleaningfluid in alternate patterns and flow paths for enhancing the cleaning ofthe surfaces of hair pocket 70, as well as cutting blade assemblies 69and cutting foils 68. Consequently, if desired, arms/paddles 117 may beemployed for providing increased turbulence to the cleaning fluid duringthe cleaning operation.

In the detailed disclosure provided above, one preferred embodiment ofshaver cleaning system 20 has been fully and completely disclosed. Inthis embodiment, shaver cleaning system 20 is constructed for thoroughlyand completely cleaning all of the debris contained in the hair pocketof rotary blade shaver 21. In addition to this embodiment, shavercleaning system 20 of the present invention can also be constructed forthoroughly and completely cleaning foil shaver 121. As is well known, afoil shaver commonly refers to any electric shaver having one or moreelongated, arcuately curved foil members forming the skin contactingsurface, with the foil members cooperating with one or more cuttersmovably mounted in the shaver which typically comprise a plurality offlat cutting blades mounted on a long shaft. By referring to FIG. 17,along with the following detailed discussion, the preferred constructionof this alternate embodiment for shaver cleaning system 20 can best beunderstood.

In this embodiment, shaver cleaning system 20 incorporates housing 22which is formed by base portion 23 and shaver holding portion 24. Inaddition, except for the specific components detailed herein, all of theremaining components employed in this alternate embodiment aresubstantially identical to the components employed in the constructiondetailed above. As a result, identical reference numerals are employedherein for referring to identical components.

Furthermore, although foil shaver 121 is depicted as comprising threeseparate and independent arcuately curved foil members, each of whichincorporate a separate and independent cutting blade assembly, any foilshaver construction is capable of enjoying the benefit of cleaningsystem 20. Consequently, it should be understood that foil shaver 121depicted herein is provided for exemplary purposes only, and is notintended as a limitation of the present invention.

In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the presentinvention, shaver holding portion 24 of housing 22 incorporates shaverreceiving basin 47 within which foil shaver 121 is mounted for cleaningand charging. In order to achieve the desired cleaning operation, fluiddelivery manifold 122 is mounted in basin 47 and is constructed forengaging foil shaver 121 and delivering the cleaning fluid directly intothe hair pocket of foil shaver 121.

In the preferred embodiment, fluid delivery manifold 122 incorporates aplurality of nozzles 123 which are formed thereon and are generallyconstructed in a manner substantially equivalent to the nozzles detailedabove. In addition, foil shaver 121 incorporates portals 124 formedalong the rear wall thereof, with portals 124 constructed for aligned,cooperative engagement with nozzles 123. In this way, whenever cleaningsystem 20 is activated, the cleaning fluid contained therein is forciblydelivered by pump means incorporated in housing 22 directly to fluiddelivery manifold 46 for passage through nozzles 123 directly intoportals 124.

In this way, the cleaning fluid forcibly enters the hair pocket of foilshaver 121, and is turbulently dispersed therein, cleaning all of thedebris from the surfaces of the hair pocket, the cutting blades, and thefoil members prior to exiting into basin 47 through the aperture formedin the foil members. Once in basin 47, the cleaning fluid, along withthe debris being carried therewith, is returned to the holding zoneafter the debris is filtered out of the cleaning fluid by passagethrough the filter means also contained in base portion 23.

By employing this construction, any desired foil shaver can be modified,by incorporating portals therein, for enabling the foil shaver to bequickly, easily, and efficiently thoroughly cleaned of all debris byemploying cleaning system 20 of the present invention. As a result, byusing the teaching contained herein, both rotary shavers and foilshavers are able to be thoroughly and completely cleaned in a fast,effective, and efficient manner.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

1. A cleaning system constructed for removing hair clipping debris fromthe interior of a hair cutting end of an electric shaver, said systemcomprising A. a support member constructed for receiving and retainingthe hair cutting end of an electric shaver; B. a fluid retaining zonepositioned in cooperative association with the support member andconstructed for retaining a cleaning fluid therein; C. a pump assemblycommunicating with the holding zone and constructed for withdrawingcleaning fluid from the holding zone and delivering the cleaning fluidthrough a fluid delivery conduit; and D. a fluid delivery conduit a.connected to the pump assembly, b. incorporating at least one deliveryport formed therein, and c. extending from the pump assembly to thesupport member holding zone for being positioned in cooperative,aligned, fluid delivering relationship with a portal formed in theelectric shaver; whereby cleaning fluid is withdrawn from the fluidholding zone and delivered directly into the interior of the electricshaver through the shaver portal for providing fluid flow through theinterior of the hair cutting end of the electric shaver for dislodgingand flushingly removing the hair debris therefrom.
 2. The cleaningsystem defined in claim 1, and further comprising a housing constructedfor containing the holding zone, the pump assembly, and the fluiddelivery conduit in operational relationship and incorporating thesupport member for positioning and holding the portal of shaver in fluidreceiving relationship with the delivery port of the fluid deliveryconduit, assuring the flow of the cleaning fluid directly into theinterior of the shaver.
 3. The cleaning system defined in claim 2,wherein said housing further comprises a base portion incorporating thecleaning fluid holding zone, and an upper portion removably mountable tothe base portion for enabling easy access to the holding zone.
 4. Thecleaning system defined in claim 3, wherein said base portion is furtherdefined as comprising a bottom surface, a wall member peripherallysurrounding the bottom surface in secure interengagement therewith, anda cover mounted to the inside surface of the wall member in juxtaposed,spaced relationship to the bottom surface defining the cleaning fluidholding zone therebetween.
 5. The cleaning system defined in claim 4,wherein said cover further comprises an enlarged filter assemblyreceiving portal.
 6. The cleaning system defined in claim 5, and furthercomprising a filter assembly incorporating A. a support plateconstructed for removable engagement in the receiving portal of thecover, B. an enlarged aperture formed in the support plate for enablingcleaning fluid to be rapidly passed therethrough, and C. a filter memberdefining an enclosed zone with one open end affixed to the supportplate, thereby requiring all of the cleaning fluid entering the enlargedaperture of the support plate to pass through the filter member beforereturning to the holding zone, thereby enabling all of the debriscontained in the cleaning fluid to be removed.
 7. The cleaning systemdefined in claim 6, wherein the support member is further defined ascomprising an enlarged shaver receiving zone incorporating a pluralityof mounting fins positioned for peripherally surrounding andsupportingly maintaining the hair cutting end of the electric shaver inthe precisely desired position for enabling the delivery port of thefluid delivery conduit to be positioned in cooperative, aligned, fluiddelivering relationship with the portal formed in the electric shaver.8. The cleaning system defined in claim 7, wherein the electric shaverincorporates a plurality of fluid receiving portals formed in the outersurface thereof for enabling fluid delivered therethrough to enterdirectly into the hair pocket of the shaver, and said support memberfurther comprises a fluid distribution manifold mounted in the shaverreceiving zone in cooperating relationship with the mounting fins, withsaid manifold incorporating a plurality of fluid delivery nozzlespositioned for aligned; cooperative, fluid delivering relationship withthe plurality of portals formed in the electric shaver, whereby thecleaning fluid passing through the distribution manifold is fed throughthe nozzles and the portals of the electric shaver directly into thehair pocket of the shaver.
 9. The cleaning system defined in claim 8,wherein said support member is further defined as comprising fluidcollection means for receiving the cleaning fluid and hair debrisexiting from the shaver and delivering the cleaning fluid and hairdebris to the filter assembly.
 10. The cleaning system defined in claim9, wherein said fluid collection means is further defined as comprisinga base surface formed in the enlarged shaver receiving zone, positionedbelow the hair cutting end of the shaver and incorporating an enlargedaperture formed therein, with said base surface being sloped, fordirecting all of the fluid and debris coming in contact therewithdirectly to the enlarged aperture.
 11. The cleaning system defined inclaim 10, wherein said enlarged aperture formed in the base surface isfurther defined as being directly aligned with the filter assembly forenabling all of the fluid and debris passing through said enlargedaperture to be delivered directly to said filter assembly.
 12. Thecleaning system defined in claim 11, wherein said plurality of mountingfins formed in the shaver receiving zone of the support member isfurther defined as being mounted on the base surface in cooperatingrelationship with an upstanding boss member positioned for providingfurther support and alignment of said electric shaver with the nozzlesof the manifold.
 13. The cleaning system defined in claim 8, whereinsaid fluid distribution manifold is further defined as comprising afirst section having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectionincorporating a plurality of nozzles formed therein and defining aninternal channel through which said cleaning fluid travels, and a coversecurely mountable to the first section for sealingly closing the firstsection, thereby forming a completely enclosed, sealed, leak freemanifold construction.
 14. The cleaning system defined in claim 13,wherein said nozzles formed on the first section are further defined ascomprising rounded outer surfaces, assuring easy, aligned engagement ofsaid nozzles with the portals of the shaver.
 15. The cleaning systemdefined in claim 14, wherein said fluid distribution manifold is furtherdefined as comprising an overall U-shape constructed for peripherallysurrounding and easily engaging the outer surface of the electricshaver, with the terminating ends of said distribution manifold beingflexibly movable for assuring rapid, easy mounted engagement thereofwith said electric shaver.
 16. The cleaning system defined in claim 6,wherein said filter assembly further comprises a diverted plate formedin the support plate in juxtaposed, spaced relationship to the enlargedaperture and positioned below the portal for receiving the debris ladencleaning fluid and forcing the debris and cleaning fluid outwardlytherefrom.
 17. The cleaning system defined in claim 5, wherein the coverof the based portion incorporates a plurality of alignment aperturesformed therein and the upper portion is further defined as incorporatingthe pump assembly, the support member constructed for receiving andretaining the hair cutting end of the electric shaver, and a base plateforming the lower surface of the upper member, said base plateincorporating a plurality of alignment posts extending therefrom andpositioned for telescopic engagement in the receiving portals formed inthe cover of the base portion.
 18. The cleaning system defined in claim17, wherein the base portion of the housing further comprises at leastone upstanding hook member formed on the cover thereof and the upperportion comprises at least one movable latch member positioned forcooperative engagement with the hook member of the base portion forproviding latched interengagement of the upper portion with the baseportion and easy disconnection and removal of the upper portion from thebase portion.
 19. The cleaning system defined in claim 1, wherein saidsystem further comprises E. a fan assembly constructed for drawingambient air through an inlet portal and delivering a continuous flow ofair to the electric shaver when so desired.
 20. The cleaning systemdefined in claim 19, wherein said cleaning system further comprises F. ashaver holding post cooperatively associated with the support member andconstructed for receiving and engaging the terminating end of theelectric shaver for stabilizing the electric shaver and enablingelectrical pins formed in the electric shaver to be electricallyengaged.
 21. The cleaning system defined in claim 20, wherein saidsupport member is further defined as incorporating a pivotable armmember mounted therein and incorporating two spring biased postspositioned for automatically engaging and electrically contacting thepins of the electric shaver when the electric shaver is arcuatelypivoted into engagement therewith.
 22. The cleaning system defined inclaim 21, wherein said support member is further defined asincorporating spring members cooperatively associated with the pivotablearm for continuously biasing the pivotable arm into a shaver contactingposition, whereby any displacement of the pivotable arm by the shaverduring its mounting operation is automatically compensated.
 23. Thecleaning system defined in claim 22 and further comprising an integratedcircuit mounted therein and constructed for providing cyclical,controlled operation of the pump assembly, the shaver, and the fanassembly.
 24. The cleaning system defined in claim 23, wherein saidintegrated circuit also controls recharging of the electric shaverindependently of the cleaning thereof.
 25. The cleaning system definedin claim 24, wherein said integrated circuit is further defined ascyclically operating the pump assembly for delivering and ceasing thedelivery of cleaning fluid directly to the hair pocket of the electricshaver for a period of time ranging between about two minutes and eightminutes, followed by activating the fan assembly for the delivery of airflow to the shaver for between about 15 and 22 minutes.
 26. The cleaningsystem defined in claim 25, wherein said integrated circuit is furtherdefined as being responsive to the receipt of an activation signal priorto initiating the cleaning cycle.
 27. A cleaning system constructed forremoving debris from the interior of an electric shaver, said systemcomprising: A. an electric shaver comprising a. a hair pocket definingthe interior zone of the hair cutting end thereof, b. at least onecutting blade mounted in the hair pocket and constructed for cuttingmovement relative to a cooperating foil member, c. at least one foilmember mounted to the shaver at the hair cutting end thereof incooperative association with the cutting blade, and d. at least oneportal formed in the hair cutting end of the shaver and extending fromthe outer surface of the shaver into the interior of the hair pocket; B.a housing constructed for receiving and supportingly retaining theshaver in a cleaning positioned and comprising a. a support memberconstructed for receiving the hair cutting end of the shaver and, b. afluid retaining zone formed in the housing for receiving and retainingcleaning fluid therein, c. a pump assembly mounted in the housing andpositioned for withdrawing cleaning fluid from the retaining zone andforcing the cleaning fluid through a fluid delivery conduit, d. a fluiddelivery conduit connected to the pump assembly and extending therefromto the support member, and incorporating at least one exit nozzle formedtherein, and e. an exit nozzle being mounted in aligned, fluiddelivering engagement with the portal formed in the hair cutting end ofthe electric shaver, enabling the cleaning fluid to be forced directlyinto the hair pocket of the electric shaver, directly contacting thesurfaces of the hair pocket, the cutting blade and the cutting foilmounted therein; whereby cleaning fluid is withdrawn from the fluidholding zone and delivered directly into the interior of the electricshaver through the shaver portal for providing fluid flow through theinterior of the hair cutting end of the electric shaver for dislodgingand flushingly removing the hair debris therefrom.
 28. The cleaningsystem defined in claim 27, wherein said system further comprises: C. afilter assembly mounted in the housing between the support member andthe fluid retaining zone and constructed for enabling all of thecleaning fluid and hair debris emanating from the electric shaver toflow therethrough prior to returning the cleaning fluid to the fluidretaining zone.
 29. The cleaning system defined in claim 28, whereinsaid system further comprises: D. a fan assembly constructed for drawingambient air through an inlet portal and delivering a continuous flow ofair to the electric shaver when so desired; E. a shaver holding postcooperatively associated with the support member and constructed forreceiving and engaging the terminating end of the electric shaver forstabilizing the electric shaver and enabling electrical pins formed inthe electric shaver to be electrically engaged, and incorporating a. apivotable arm member mounted therein and incorporating two spring biasedposts positioned for automatically engaging and electrically contactingthe pins of the electric shaver when the electric shaver is arcuatelypivoted into engagement therewith, and b. spring members cooperativelyassociated with the pivotable arm for continuously biasing the pivotablearm into a shaver contacting position, whereby any displacement of thepivotable arm by the shaver during its mounting operation isautomatically compensated; and F. an integrated circuit mounted thereinand constructed for providing cyclical, controlled operation of the pumpassembly, the shaver, and the fan assembly.
 30. The cleaning systemdefined in claim 29, wherein said integrated circuit also controlsrecharging of the electric shaver independently of the cleaning thereof.31. The cleaning system defined in claim 30, wherein said shaver isfurther defined as comprising a foil shaver construction, with said foilshaver incorporating a plurality of apertures formed on the outersurface thereof and extending therefrom into the hair pocket of theshaver.
 32. The cleaning system defined in claim 30, wherein saidelectric shaver is further defined as comprising a rotary shaverincorporating three cooperating, circular shaped cutting bladeassemblies and three, circular shape foil members, each associated withone circular shaped cutting blade assembly.
 33. The cleaning systemdefined in claim 32, wherein said support member further comprises aplurality of upstanding bosses formed therein in cooperatingrelationship with three heads of the rotary shaver for verticallydisplacing the heads of the shaver when said shaver is fully mountedtherewith.
 34. The cleaning system defined in claim 32, wherein each ofthe circular shaped cutting foils is peripherally surrounded by a ringmember which incorporates a plurality of depressions or knurled zonesformed therein for establishing a flow path for the cleaning fluid anddebris exiting the shaver.
 35. The cleaning system defined in claim 32,wherein each cutting blade incorporates a separate and independentrotating shaft for causing said blade member to rotate and said shaverfurther incorporates a plurality of outwardly extending arms or paddlesformed on the rotating shaft for increasing the turbulence of thecleaning fluid flowing through the hair pocket.
 36. The cleaning systemdefined in claim 28, wherein the support member formed in the housing isfurther defined as comprising an enlarged shaver receiving zoneincorporating a plurality of mounting fins positioned for peripherallysurrounding and supportingly maintaining the hair cutting end of theelectric shaver in the precisely desired position for enabling thedelivery port of the fluid delivery conduit to be positioned incooperative, aligned, fluid delivery relationship with the portal formedin the electric shaver.
 37. The cleaning system defined in claim 36,wherein the electric shaver incorporates a plurality of fluid receivingportals formed in the outer surface thereof for enabling fluid deliveredtherethrough to enter directly into the hair pocket of the shaver, andsaid support member further comprises a fluid distribution manifoldmounted in the shaver receiving zone in cooperating relationship withthe mounting fins, with said manifold incorporating a plurality of fluiddelivery nozzles positioned for aligned, cooperative, fluid deliveringrelationship with the plurality of portals formed in the electricshaver, whereby the cleaning fluid passing through the distributionmanifold is fed through the nozzles and the portals of the electricshaver directly into the hair pocket of the shaver.
 38. The cleaningsystem defined in claim 37, wherein the filter assembly is furtherdefined as comprising: a. a support plate constructed for beingremovably mountable in the housing, b. an enlarged aperture formed inthe support plate for enabling cleaning fluid to rapidly passtherethrough, and c. a filter member defining an enclosed zone with oneopen end, said open end being affixed to the support plate, therebyrequiring all of the cleaning fluid entering the enlarged aperture ofthe support plate to pass through the filter member before returning tothe holding zone, enabling all of the debris contained in the cleaningfluid to be removed therefrom.
 39. The cleaning system defined in claim38, wherein said filter assembly further comprises an inverted V-shapeddiverter plate supportingly retained by the support plate in juxtaposed,spaced, relationship thereto, below the enlarged aperture for receivingthe debris laden cleaning fluid and forcing the debris and cleaningfluid outwardly towards the filter member.
 40. The cleaning systemdefined in claim 39, wherein the support member is further defined ascomprising a fluid receiving surface positioned below the hair cuttingend of the shaver for receiving the debris laden cleaning fluid exitingtherefrom and constructed for rapidly directing the debris ladencleaning fluid to the filter assembly.
 41. A cleaning system constructedfor removing hair clipping debris from the interior of a hair cuttingend of an electric shaver, wherein said shaver incorporates a pluralityof portals formed in the outer surface of the hair cutting end, withsaid portals extending from the exterior surface to the interior of thehair cutting end, said system comprising: A. a support memberconstructed for receiving and retaining the hair cutting end of anelectric shaver; B. a fluid retaining zone positioned in cooperativeassociation with the support member and constructed for retaining acleaning fluid therein; C. a pump assembly communicating with theholding zone and constructed for withdrawing cleaning fluid from theholding zone and delivering the cleaning fluid through a fluid deliveryconduit; D. a fluid delivery manifold a. connected to the fluid deliveryconduit for receiving the cleaning fluid flowing therethrough anddistributing the cleaning fluid throughout said manifold, b.incorporating a plurality of nozzles formed along said manifold, witheach of said nozzles being positioned in cooperative, aligned, fluiddelivering relationship with one portal of said shaver; whereby cleaningfluid is withdrawn from the fluid holding zone and delivered directlyinto the interior of the electric shaver through the portals formed inthe shaver for providing fluid flow throughout the interior of the haircutting end of the shaver, dislodging, flushing and removing the hairdebris therefrom.
 42. A cleaning system constructed for removing hairclipping debris from the interior of a hair cutting end of an electricshaver, wherein said shaver incorporates a plurality of portals formedin the outer surface of the hair cutting end, with said portalsextending from the exterior surface to the interior of the hair cuttingend, said system comprising: A. a support member constructed forreceiving and retaining the hair cutting end of an electric shaver; B. afluid retaining zone positioned in cooperative association with thesupport member and constructed for retaining a cleaning fluid therein;C. a pump assembly communicating with the holding zone and constructedfor withdrawing cleaning fluid from the holding zone and delivering thecleaning fluid through a fluid delivery conduit; D. a fluid deliveryconduit connected to the pump assembly, incorporating a plurality ofdelivery ports formed therein, and extending from the pump assembly tothe support member holding zone for being positioned in cooperative,aligned, fluid delivering relationship with the portals formed in theelectric shaver; E. a shaver holding post cooperatively associated withthe support member and constructed for receiving and engaging theterminating end of the electric shaver for stabilizing the electricshaver and enabling electrical pins formed in the electric shaver to beelectrically engaged, and incorporating a. a pivotable arm membermounted therein and incorporating two spring biased posts positioned forautomatically engaging and electrically contacting the pins of theelectric shaver when the electric shaver is arcuately pivoted intoengagement therewith, and b. spring members cooperatively associatedwith the pivotable arm for continuously biasing the pivotable arm into ashaver contacting position, whereby any displacement of the pivotablearm by the shaver during its mounting operation is automaticallycompensated; and F. an integrated circuit mounted therein andconstructed for providing cyclical, controlled operation of the pumpassembly, and the shaver.
 43. A method for cleaning hair debris from thehair pocket, cutting blades, and cutting foils of an electric shaver,with the shaver incorporating at least one aperture formed therein andextending from the outside surface directly into the hair pocket, saidmethod comprising the steps of: A. feeding cleaning fluid from a holdingzone through a delivery conduit communicating directly with the apertureof the shaver; B. flushing the hair pocket, cutting blades, and cuttingfoil with the cleaning fluid for dislodging the hair debris form thesurfaces thereof; C. allowing the hair debris and cleaning fluid todrain from the shaver through the cutting foils; D. collecting the hairdebris and cleaning fluid exiting from the shaver; E. filtering thecollected hair debris out of the cleaning fluid, and F. returning thefiltered cleaning fluid to the holding zone.